Akumal means “place of the turtles” in Maya, and the turtles are genuinely there. But the bay is under real pressure, the seagrass is not a nuisance, and there is more to this stretch of coast than a snorkel queue. Here are the things to do in Akumal — including how to do the turtles right.
1. The Turtles, Done Properly
Green turtles feed on the seagrass beds in the bay. Go at opening, use an authorised guide, keep the required distance, never touch or chase, and never stand on the seagrass — it is their food and the nursery for everything else. Reef-safe products or none. The bay has visitor limits for a reason.
2. Yal-Ku Lagoon
Where fresh groundwater meets the sea at the north end of Akumal. The mixing creates a shimmering haze and unusual fish variety. Calm, shallow and much quieter than the main bay.
3. Half Moon Bay at Dawn
Walk the shoreline before breakfast. Fewer people, better light, and the reef line visible as a break in the water offshore.
4. Aktun Chen or a Nearby Cenote
Inland from Akumal, caves and cenotes open into the underground river system — the same aquifer that surfaces in the Sian Ka’an lagoons further south.
5. A Day in the Biosphere (45 minutes south)
The single biggest change of scenery available from Akumal: 1.3 million acres of lagoon, mangrove and Maya history. Logistics and the pickup rule are in our guide from Akumal.
6. Snorkel the Reef, Not Just the Bay
The Mesoamerican Reef runs offshore along this whole coast. A boat trip to the reef proper is a different experience from the shallow bay — and it takes pressure off the turtle feeding area.
Why the Seagrass Matters
Visitors regularly ask why the bay is not raked clean. Because seagrass is the turtles’ food, a nursery for reef fish and a stabiliser for the sand. A cleaned bay is a dead one. It is the same logic as the mangroves a little further south.
Meet the Community Behind the Tour
In just two minutes, discover who we are — the Maya families and cooperative members who make every experience authentic and regenerative:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Akumal worth visiting?
Yes, especially early in the day and with respect for the rules — it is one of the few places where green turtles feed close to shore.
Can you swim with turtles in Akumal for free?
Access rules and guided requirements have changed over the years and are enforced locally. Check current conditions on arrival and use an authorised guide.
What else is there to do in Akumal?
Yal-Ku lagoon, cenotes and caves inland, reef snorkelling by boat, and day trips south to the Sian Ka an Biosphere Reserve, about 45 minutes away.
Head South for the Day
Book your Sian Ka’an experience from Akumal with the Maya cooperative.
Questions? Contact us at reservacionesctsk@siankaantours.com.mx or WhatsApp +52 984 114 0750